FEEL LIKE THIS?

I CAN HELP.

Conq

uerin

g Co

mm

as

The comma’s

job:Separate!

1. Introductory phrases

• Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, now, or yes.

• Examples: 

• i)Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day...

• ii)Yes, I do need that report.

2. Interrupters

Use commas around an expression that interrupts the flow of the sentence.

Words such as however, moreover, finally, therefore, of course, by the way, on the other hand, I am sure, I think, or someone’s name.

3. Time and Place

• 4) Use commas to separate the elements of dates and places.

• Please note: with dates you should only separate the numbers. If you have only one place name, don’t separate it from the sentence with a comma.

• Examples: 

• i) The date was June 12, 1999.

• ii) He was born in Alor Setar, Kedah. 

• Not: “I visited, Salt Lake City.”

• Not: “I met her July, 2012.”

4. List Items

• 3) Use commas and an and to connect three or more items.

• Example: 

• Redza will buy  a bag of potato chips, a hot dog, and a soda.

•                                                       (1)                      (2)                 (3)

The Great Comma Debate

Oxford (Serial) Comma

• Used by academics.

• Does: puts a comma before the “and” in a list of three or more.

• Example:

• “I eat apples, bananas, and figs for lunch.”

Associated Press Comma

• Used by news-reporters.

• Does: removes the comma before the “and” in a list of three or more.

• Example:

• “I eat apples, bananas and figs for lunch.”

Can I leave off the comma?

Technically, yes. However, be very, very aware of what

confusions there may be with your reader.

Always keep it consistent. If you start with the Oxford

comma, keep it. If you start with Associated Press, then

stick with it.

A list of two?• Don’t use a comma. Some things

shouldn’t be separated.

• “I love my son, and daughter.”

I, can, remove, commas???

Please!!!!

If it isn’t where it’s supposed to be, let’s take it out.

Remove commas from:

1.Lists less than three

2.When the separated phrase or name is not an interrupter to the sentence.

3.You are using Associate Press style.

4.It’s creating a comma splice.

5. Compound sentences

Use comma with a coordinating conjunction  to connect two independent clauses.

•Coordinating conjunctions = and, but, for, nor, or , yet and so.

Example: Redza will pass the comma test, but Sarah will not.

5. Compound sentences

Use comma to connect a dependent clause and independent clause.

A comma splice

When two INDEPENDENT clauses are connected with only a comma.

Practice!

• Dude leave me alone.

• I went to the store for bread milk eggs and cheese.

• She is happy successful and full of herself yet she went to Harvard.

• I want Harry however to know that his tardies are unacceptable.

Practice!

• Dude, leave me alone.

• I went to the store for bread, milk, eggs, and cheese.

• She is happy, successful, and full of herself, yet she went to Harvard.

• I want Harry, however, to know that his tardies are unacceptable.